Can't Say No Read online

  It wasn’t until the twins were back at home that the three were able to relax. Apparently, Curtis and Courtney were more impressed with the mountain of toys waiting for them than with their new daddy and stepmother.

  Vanessa was proud that she managed not to vent her feelings until the twins were tucked in for the night and Lana was in her room, chatting on the telephone. She embarrassed herself when she joined Ralph on the screened-in porch; tears of frustration and anger she’d held in all day filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.

  “I can’t believe that man! He’s not fooling anyone. He’s trying to buy the twins’ love. What’s he going to do next? Take them to Disneyland?”

  Before he could respond, she rushed ahead with, “He’s just plain wrong! That hateful man has never even wanted to see those babies…now suddenly he’s suing for custody. And all I can do is delay the inevitable for as long as possible. It stinks!”

  Ralph tenderly encircled her waist, pulling her down to sit with him. “Calm down, beautiful. It’s not over. He hasn’t won, yet.”

  “Maybe.” She impatiently wiped at her tears. “All I know is it’s only a matter of time before he hires a nanny to take care of them until they are old enough for him to send off to boarding school.” She was practically screaming, and as she paused to catch her breath, her hands balled into fists.

  Moving a stroking hand up and down her bare arm, he soothed, “Hush, love. If you don’t calm down, you’re going to make yourself sick.”

  Vanessa nodded, accepting a fresh tissue, “I…you’re…right…but I’m so mad…”

  She let out a gush of hot air. “It’s just so hard to keep it all together, hiding my feelings from the kids.” Leaning against him, she concentrated on simply taking slow, deep breaths. “I’m a mess. I’m sorry. I can’t believe I keep coming apart in front of you.”

  He kissed her forehead, holding on to her. “Stop apologizing. You have good reason to be upset. Unfortunately, today is just the beginning of these visits.” He swore his own frustration, then apologized. “I hate this. You can’t help but feel so helpless. You have to keep reminding yourself that you have a good lawyer. Jones knows what he’s doing.” Ralph paused, his heart picking up speed as he wondered what her reaction would be to his announcement. Finally, he revealed, “Like you, I’ve been feeling helpless to protect you and the twins. So, I decided to do what I hope will prove to be helpful.”

  “What exactly did you do?” She tilted her head back so she could study his features.

  “I hired a private investigator. Mack Webber is a retired cop. He’s a good man, more important, he is thorough. If there is something to find, Webber will find it.”

  He caressed her cheek. “I’ve shocked you. Nothing to say? That I don’t believe.”

  Vanessa smiled. “I don’t know. But if you think it will help, it’s worth a try. Can I afford it?” He cocked his brow, and she let out a giggle. “I know, at this point it doesn’t matter.”

  “That’s right.” He leaned down until he could brush his mouth over hers. “It’s getting late. I should go, but before I do, tell me why you haven’t asked a single question about Jackee.”

  “The pretty social worker, petite and tiny. Just like you like them.” Vanessa would have moved away, but Ralph held her in place. She demanded. “Let go.”

  “In a minute. Jackee is a friend. We dated a few times, nothing came of it. I hadn’t seen her in a couple of years. Any other questions?” Ralph held his breath.

  “No,” Vanessa merely looked at him, no smile, nothing to show if she was secretly relieved. It wasn’t as if she didn’t know about his past. Did she hate being reminded of how long his list was? Or maybe she didn’t care, period? That thought left him ice-cold with a combination of dread and fear.

  “What do you mean, no?” he demanded to know.

  “Just what I said. Ralph, I trust you.” Her eyes locked with his.

  “Since when?” he whispered, as longing entered the mix.

  He wanted her so bad he hurt from it, but it wasn’t just desire. If this was what Wesley and Devin experienced, then he finally got it. He understood why they could not walk away. The need to be with and protect her was stronger than anything else in his life. The need was that powerful. And it was not going away. If anything, it grew stronger with each passing day. All he could do was hang on.

  Vanessa did laugh then. “I don’t know. You’re different with me. You’ve been my rock. But if you’re sneaking around, you’re hiding it well.” She stroked his cheek, teasing. “Why are you frowning, boo?”

  A crease drew his black brows together, “Was that supposed to be a compliment?” He firmly set her away from him and rose to his feet, highly insulted. Did she have any idea what she was doing to him? How she was turning him inside out? His instincts told him to fight this madness in any way he possibly could. His wayward heart was not cooperating. And that back-handed compliment felt like a slap on the face.

  “Sorta. What did you expect?”

  “If you don’t know, I’m not going to waste time telling you, Ms. Grant.”

  Vanessa raced to the front door and barely managed to get there ahead of him. When he encircled her waist, preparing to lift her out of his way, she threw her arms around his neck and pressed her breasts against his chest and her lips against the base of his throat.

  “Don’t be angry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Why are you so sensitive all of a sudden?”

  “Sensitive? You better believe I’m angry! Doubting my honesty is an insult! How would you like it if I accused you of cheating with another man?”

  “I wouldn’t like it. But, sweet man, I never said you cheated,” she insisted, moving her hands soothingly over his back.

  “What do you think not believing I love you meant, Vanessa Grant?” he snapped, struggling to hold on to his anger and not let her softness seduce him.

  “It means you’re a well-known womanizer, and I would be not only blind, but stupid and dumb if I ever forgot it. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. Nor does it mean I think you are ‘playing’ around with women behind my back. For one thing, I can’t see how you would have the time, considering your work schedule, family, and volunteer work. But most important,” she said as she moved the hot, soft velvet of her tongue over his throat. “Our lovemaking has been limited because of me, not you. You are a highly sexual, intense lover, Ralph Prescott. I’ve given you a lot less loving than you no doubt are used to or need. And I hate it. I hate that my problems with my family keep getting in the way. It’s not fair to you, sweet man.” She kissed him, taking his bottom lip into her mouth to suck, causing hot prickles of desire to speed through his nervous system.

  He closed his eyes as her soft fingers stroked the back of his neck. She released his lips, but before he could collect himself, so he could stop feeling and start thinking, she began to tongue the highly sensitive place behind his ear that caused him to groan deep in his throat.

  “Sweet man, it has been too long for you.” As she slowly rubbed her incredibly full breasts against his chest, he wondered why he was fighting with her. She was where he needed her to be, and that was all that mattered. He wrapped his arms around her.

  Kissing her soft mouth, he asked, “Is there a point to this?”

  Nodding, she said, “I trust you, but I know that at this moment I can’t give you what you need. There is no mistaking that you’re hard and ready, that you want me.” She bit his bottom lip, then soothed the tiny sting with her tongue. “…or that I want you. But considering what the children have been through today, I have no choice but to stay and put their needs ahead of my own. All I can tell you is how very sorry I am, but it doesn’t fix the problem.”

  Ralph groaned again, tightening his arms around her until nothing separated them but layers of fabric. “Don’t apologize. I’m not pressuring you, beautiful.”

  “I know, but I’m not that naive. How long until you are thoroughly sick
and tired of waiting? Phone calls and hungry kisses don’t get it. We both know that.”

  His stomach tightened, his heart ached as he watched her lovely eyes fill with tears. “Then marry me, my beautiful lady. If nothing else, you don’t have to worry, and I won’t have to miss out on your loving.”

  “Ralph!” She hit him on his forearm. “Will you be serious? You wanted to know why I know you have reason to sneak around, and I’m trying to explain. Why do you make things so complicated?”

  “And why do you assume I’m not perfectly serious,” he demanded, outraged. “Yes, I’m tired of sleeping alone. Why do you keep turning me down? What? You think I’m running up and down Woodward Avenue proposing?”

  “I know you want me. Perhaps more than you want anyone else. Marriage under these circumstances can’t work.” Vanessa sighed tiredly, leaning her forehead against his chin. “Do we have to get into this tonight? It has been such an exhausting day. Please, babe, can’t…”

  Ralph sighed heavily. He wanted it settled, and he wanted it tonight. But he could also see she was both physically and emotionally drained. The need to protect took over.

  “Okay, beautiful. We’ll let it go. No pressure.” He dropped his head and brushed his lips against hers. “Try to get some sleep. Just give us some thought. ’Night.”

  “Good night.” Vanessa quickly covered a yawn. “I’m sorry,” she said as she slipped her arm through his and walked with him outside. After giving him a soft kiss, she stepped back inside.

  Ralph stood on the porch, listening until the lock clicked into place. After making his way to his car and absently starting the engine, he wondered how the situation had gone from bad to worse. He felt as if she had ripped his heart out of his chest and was not even aware of it.

  As he drove away, he vowed never again. No more proposals. He wasn’t giving her a chance to hurt him like this again. He planned to be there for her, do everything he could to help her through this Cummingham mess. If she wanted his love, then she would have to do the asking. He was done.

  Twenty-two

  Ralph was amazed that his outlook on life had changed so much in the weeks he’d been involved with Vanessa. Despite his frustration, her happiness was more important than his own. This love thing was more profound than he’d ever thought possible. His keen disappointment and bitterness eased a bit each and every time he saw her. The sparkle and joy that was so much a part of who she was seemed to be missing from her eyes. It was clear she wasn’t sleeping well. Aware that she had enough to deal with, he’d kept his promise not to pressure her for a response to his proposal.

  With the first day of school only two weeks away, Vanessa had been busy getting them ready. Shopping for school supplies and new clothes had been only part of what she’d done. There had been doctor visits and long talks about what to expect and what was expected of them. Ralph was amazed by all the things he hadn’t even thought of, let alone considered necessary.

  Ralph knew the approach of the upcoming school year signaled the end of long summer evenings spent laughing and talking to Vanessa on the sunporch. He had gained pleasure from the simple hum of the ceiling fan, the gentle sway of the swing, and the flicker of the pillar candles, highlighting the beauty of her dark brown skin.

  Was it wishful thinking on his part? Or was she starting to care about him more each day? He tried to listen and give whatever she needed. He had no idea if he’d bolstered what he considered her tremendous courage. All he knew was that, if he was fortunate enough to someday have a child of his own, he wanted Vanessa to be the mother.

  It was devastating to watch Vanessa’s hope of keeping the twins dim as time passed. He’d never felt more helpless. This custody lawsuit was slowly breaking her heart. The court-supervised visits had ended. Starting this coming Friday, the children would spend Friday and Saturday nights with the Cumminghams.

  When the investigator’s report came in, he cheered. Finally, there was something he could do. Determined, Ralph went to see Cummingham with a copy of the report in his briefcase. And he had the foresight to make an appointment.

  The instant Greg Cummingham realized Ralph’s business with him concerned the custody hearing, the man’s cordial façade vanished. Leaning back in his costly leather armchair, surrounded by opulence, Cummingham asked, “So, why are you here, Prescott? To show me that Ms. Grant has a wealthy, powerful supporter on her side? It has been duly noted. What does this have to do with you? Are you and Ms. Grant lovers?”

  It took all of Ralph’s resolve to stay in his seat and not knock the pompous, patronizing smirk off the brother’s face. Although his hands balled into fists, home-training was all that kept him from throwing a punch. Instead he tossed the report on the desk. The top page was a detailed list of names.

  “It’s over, Cummingham. You will find that my private investigator’s report is thorough. Names, address, and phone numbers of the three women you’ve not only had affairs with, but also impregnated and paid off. Who knows, there may be more? The judge will no doubt find it interesting reading, don’t you agree?”

  Cummingham scowled as he quickly scanned the names and background details. When he finished, he shrugged narrow shoulders camouflaged with padding by an expert tailor. “So what? Last time I looked, sex between two consenting adults is still legal in all fifty states,” he sneered.

  “Drop the case, Cummingham. If your wife was to receive a copy of this report, what do you think she will do? How sure are you she won’t walk? Would you care to risk it? That’s fine by me. The choice is yours, and the risk is yours.”

  “You don’t know a damn thing about my wife! Her first loyalty is to me. She won’t be swayed by some bogus report!”

  “Prove it.”

  “I don’t have to prove anything to you. The law is on my side,” Cummingham huffed.

  “Really? According to what this report says, Mrs. Cummingham has been trying to conceive for some time. Wonder how she will feel when she learns just how many little Cumminghams are running around? I’m betting she won’t be thrilled by the discovery. Wonder if she still wants to adopt the twins? She wanted a baby. It says here that Ms. Burton has two-year-old twin boys. Of course, there is distance, since Ms. Burton now lives in LA. Twins evidently run in your family. It says here that your dad was a twin.”

  Greg Cummingham jumped to his feet. “Are you trying to threaten me, Prescott? I’m warning you, I will destroy you, if my wife ever receives a copy of this trash. Then I will go after Ms. Grant. She’ll never see those cute little twins again.”

  Ralph would have laughed in the other man’s face if he thought it would make the coward throw the first punch. It was no secret that Cummingham was used to fighting dirty, only his arena was in the criminal courtroom.

  Ralph said, as if the other man hadn’t even spoken, “Willing to take the risk, Cummingham? It will be interesting to see who comes out of this smelling like a rose.” But Ralph knew the decision was not his to make. “If it were up to me, this report would be in the Detroit News tonight, but it’s not my decision. Ms. Grant isn’t interested in your marriage or your career. All she wants is to raise her little brother and sister without interference from you, Cummingham. Call off the custody suit, and your secrets are safe.”

  Ralph watched him pace restlessly behind his desk, in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked downtown Detroit. The street far below was already crowded with rush-hour traffic. Deep in thought, Cummingham suddenly stopped, having lost some of that arrogance. “It’s too late. My wife has her heart set on the twins.” Sounding like a man between a rock and a hard place, he insisted, “My hands are tied! Perhaps if I met with Ms. Grant, she would be willing to accept a very generous visitation schedule? She can see them anytime she likes, but they would have to live with us.”

  Ralph stiffened, imagining Vanessa’s volatile reaction to that offer. “I’ll discuss it with her and get back with you. But I seriously doubt she will agree. Those kids belong wit
h her. She’s taken care of them since the day they came home from the hospital.”

  “Prescott, remind her that she doesn’t have a prayer of winning this case. The most she can do is prolong the agony. I’m their biological father!”

  “Tell me, something, Cummingham. Why are you so damn sure that none of these ladies are going to tell your wife the truth?”

  He sank into his chair, a cocky grin on his face. Lifting his arms and anchoring his hands behind his head, he laughed. “They know better than to cross me. One word to anyone, and the money stops.”

  Ralph shook his head, amazed by the sheer size of the man’s ego. How could one man be so blind to the risk he was senselessly taking, not only with his own health, but with that of his wife, whom he supposedly adored.

  Ralph fired back with, “How accepting will your wife be when she learns just how many children you’ve fathered over the years? Or do you think that just because you weren’t married at the time, that makes up for it? And how comfortable will she be when she realizes you may have exposed her to HIV?”

  “Now hold on, Prescott!” Infuriated, Greg Cummingham jumped to his feet. He was tall, evidently used to being head and shoulders above most men.

  Ralph casually rose to his full height, easily towering over the other man. “We will get back to you after I’ve spoken to Ms. Grant.” He’d had enough of this arrogant jerk. So what if he was wealthy. Did he think because of his money he was a match for Ralph’s considerable income? If so, he was sadly mistaken. He’d made his money by using his body and brawn. He multiplied that many times over by using his brain to make wise investments. The airline was making money faster than they could count it.

  But that hadn’t happened by chance. His uncle had made sure they not only knew how to make money but how to keep it. Up against all of the Prescotts’ combined incomes, Cummingham didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of beating them.